Hadi Awang, president of the Pan‑Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), announced on Thursday that the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Bersatu) is no longer a member of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition after the party signalled plans to join a new political grouping. He warned that any party that seeks to abandon the coalition “automatically loses its place” in PN, a statement that has sparked an immediate rebuttal from Bersatu’s deputy president, Azmin Ali.
Perikatan Nasional was formed in early 2020 following a parliamentary realignment that toppled the previous government. The coalition originally brought together PAS, Bersatu, the Malaysian Islamic Party (AMANAH) and several smaller parties to command a parliamentary majority. Since then, internal disagreements over policy direction and leadership have periodically surfaced, but the alliance has remained intact.
Hadi’s claim rests on Bersatu’s recent public declaration that it intends to negotiate a partnership with the opposition Pakatan Harapan bloc ahead of the next general election. In a press briefing, Hadi said the move “breaks the trust and the agreement that binds us together” and therefore Bersatu should be expelled without further discussion.
Azmin Ali countered the accusation, insisting that Bersatu remains a full member of PN and that any change in status must follow the coalition’s internal procedures. He warned that unilateral statements could destabilise the government and urged all parties to respect the coalition charter, which requires a consensus decision before a member can be removed.
The dispute raises questions about the durability of PN ahead of the 2027 election cycle. If Bersatu were to leave, the coalition could lose a significant share of parliamentary seats, potentially weakening its ability to pass legislation and maintain confidence in the prime minister’s office. Conversely, forcing Bersatu out could consolidate PAS’s influence but risk alienating moderate voters.
Observers say the next few weeks will be crucial as both sides prepare formal statements for the media and possibly the parliament. The outcome will depend on whether PN’s secretariat convenes a vote, whether legal challenges are filed, and how other coalition partners position themselves amid the growing tension.